About Ayurveda

The word “Ayurveda” translates as “the science of life,” and refers to an ancient healing science developed over 5,000 years ago in India. Approaching health holistically, Ayurveda addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual facets of the individual. Ayurveda emphasizes balance — when the body’s energies are balanced, health follows. There are three recognized body-mind types in Ayurveda: vata, pitta, and kapha.

Ayurvedic Therapies

East West Wellness of Marin offers the full range of Ayurvedic therapies to treat specific health concerns. Treatment is based in nutrition, as unbalanced digestion is seen as the source of most disease. To heal, Ayurveda feeds the five senses.

Treatment Layers

Beginning with nourishing dietary recommendations, herbs and minerals, we may offer additional treatment layers including aromatic essential oils, yoga, and meditation. Natural herbal remedies, teas, medicated ghees, and oils are fresh and are tailored for each individual. Ayurvedic medicine can help maximize health, especially when lifestyle changes are incorporated.

The Ayurvedic body therapies described below are performed on site by a trained Ayurveda therapist.

Bliss Therapy

Bliss Therapy is the combination of a abhyanga, shirodhara and svedana. As the name suggests, it is a 2.5 hour blissful experience of deep relaxation and pleasure. It originated in India, and is offered in spas the world over. The warmth of the oil, along with the scents of the herbs, instill calm and peace in mind and body.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a warm herbal oil therapy that is poured on the third eye to pacify the mind. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shira for ‘head’ and dhara for ‘flow’. This therapy is ideal for alleviating the energetic imbalances associated with insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, manic depression, and all vata mental and emotional conditions. It has been used in spas for centuries for its relaxing properties. The liquids used in shirodhara depend on what is being treated, but usually include medicated oils.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is a choreographed warm oil massage that is used to eliminate toxins from the lymph system. It is part of the Bliss Therapy that helps cleanse and tonify the body.

Svedhana

Svedhana is a steam heat treatment that is performed after both the shirodhara and abhyanga. You are immersed in an herbal steam heat that allows the body to deeply cleanse, especially after the oiling of the prior therapies. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine svedhana is performed to purify the muscles, bones and blood.